CNS Communiqué

The CNS Communiqué is an electronic publication of the National Association of Clinical Nurse Specialists. The purpose of this publication is to keep our members updated on the NACNS headquarters news; connect our members with fast-breaking clinical news; and update clinical nurse specialists on state and federal legislative actions.

Headquarter News

2018 CNS CENSUS

2018 NACNS ELECTIONS, NEW LEADERS ANNOUNCEMENT

If you attend the 2019 Annual Conference in Orlando, FL on March 6 – 9, 2019, you will be able to attend the NACNS Business Meeting on March 9 and witness the formal announcement of winners of the NACNS elections. Specifically, new members of the board and nominating committee will be introduced to the membership there.

REGISTRATION OPENS EARLY FOR THE NACNS 2019 ANNUAL CONFERENCE

NACNS was pleased to open Annual Conference registration earlier this year, on November 2, 2018. This was done to allow NACNS members who need a longer planning window to be able to come to the 2019 Annual Conference, March 6 – 9th at the Renaissance Orlando at SeaWorld.

WELCOME THE FIRST CLASS OF CNS FELLOWS DURING 2019 NACNS ANNUAL CONFERENCE IN ORLANDO

Join your friends and colleagues for a celebration of the inaugural class of CNS Fellows, to be held at the NACNS Annual Conference in Orlando, FL on March 6 – 9, 2019. More than 50 CNSs from around the country applied to be considered for this honor.

NACNS’ Task Force for the Revision of the CNS Statement has been working since late 2015 on this important, core CNS document. The CNS Statement completed public comment on June 11, 2018 and content validation on July 18, 2018.

CNS PIN

DEVELOPING YOUR SKILLS AS A CLINICAL NURSE PRECEPTOR

Are you planning to be a preceptor for a CNS student this year?Do you arrange clinical placements for CNS students?Do you supervise CNS’s who serve as preceptors?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, be sure to check out the online self-study course, Developing Your Skills as a Clinical Nurse Preceptor, jointly provided by the Indiana University School of Nursing and the National Association of Clinical Nurse Specialists. Launched in 2016, this course provides four continuing nursing education contact hours specific to the role of a preceptor for clinical nurse specialist students.

THE APRN LACE NETWORK MEETING

Since implementation of the Consensus Model for APRN Licensure, Accreditation, Certification and Education (APRN Consensus Model), the “LACE Network” was given the responsibility to communicate about the APRN Consensus Model. In a historic meeting, held at the ANA Headquarters in Silver Spring, MD on October 1 – 2, member organizations of the LACE Network met to discuss the structure of this important entity.

IN MEMORIAM: BARBARA LYNN JONAS, MSW, FAAN (1933-2018)

Barbara Lynn Jonas, MSW, FAAN, died on October 23. She was an activist in the arts, mental health and public policy. In 2006, Barbara, a respected psychiatric social worker, and Donald Jonas brought together their professional expertise and personal passions to address a growing crisis in our nation’s health care system — the nursing shortage.

Affiliate News

Association News

A COLLABORATIVE APPROACH TO DIABETES CARE V

NACNS is a media partner for A Collaborative Approach to Diabetes Care V, which will take place April 4 – 5, 2019 in Charleston, South Carolina. NACNS members who register by December 14 will receive a $100 discount for the event!

NURSES OVERLOOKED IN THE NEWS MEDIA

A replication study of the 1997 Woodhull Study on Nursing and the Media finds journalists routinely overlook nurses as sources in health news stories. The original study analyzed 20,000 articles published in 16 U.S. newspapers, magazines and health trade publications in September 1997.

NANN SMARTBRIEF HIGHLIGHTS SPECIAL REPORT ON BREASTFEEDING

In October, via the online news service SmartBrief, the National Association of Neonatal Nurses published a two-part special report about breastfeeding. The special report summarized recent news and studies about the topic.

Clinical News

CDC CONFIRMS CASES OF ACUTE FLACCID MYELITIS

According to a report and updated count released November 13, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention confirmed 90 cases of acute flaccid myelitis in 27 states so far this year, triple the number in 2017. Most of the cases have affected children.

FOOD INSECURITY IS A SOCIAL DETERMINANT OF HEALTH

Food insecurity describes a household’s inability to provide enough food for every person to live an active, healthy life. Hunger and health are deeply connected. In the United States, one in eight people struggle with hunger.

9.7% OF U.S. ADULT POPULATION HAD DIABETES IN 2016, 2017

An estimated 8.5% U.S. adults had a type 2 diabetes diagnosis and 0.5% had a type 1 diagnosis in 2016 and 2017, according to a new study published in BMJ. Researchers analyzed data from the 2016 and 2017 editions of the National Health Interview Survey involving 58,186 adults ages 20 or older and found those with type 1 diabetes had lower body mass index and higher levels of education, and were generally younger than those diagnosed with type 2 diabetes.

HOSPITALS CAN PREVENT ICU DEMENTIA

Each year, 5.7 million Americans develop long-term mental effects like dementia and confusion as a result of being in the ICU. These mental problems can be as pronounced as those experienced by people with Alzheimer’s disease or a traumatic brain injury; many patients never fully recover.

SURVEY FINDS DECLINE IN HOSPITAL-ACQUIRED INFECTIONS

Based on a survey of 199 hospitals across the United States, researchers found a 16% decline in the risk of hospital-acquired infections between 2011 and 2015, with the largest decreases seen with urinary tract and surgical site infections. The prevalence of health care-related pneumonia and Clostridium difficile (C. difficile) did not decline significantly during the period studied.

VARIATION IN USE BY NICU TYPES

A recently published study of the variation in NICU admissions indicates a need for further research on the characteristics of those admissions to help generate evidence-based guidelines for appropriate NICU use. The study also recommends a campaign to focus neonatal care teams on using the NICU wisely by addressing the appropriate use of intensive care for newborn infants and accounting for local context and the needs of families.

NEW RECOMMENDATIONS: MOST HOSPITAL PATIENTS NEED LESS O2

According to new recommendations published October 24 in the BMJ, supplemental oxygen is not always indicated for acutely ill patients and may contribute to mortality. As part of the “Rapid Recommendations” initiative of the BMJ, a panel of experts — including specialists, a nurse, a surgeon, a respiratory therapist and patients — evaluated a recent systematic review and meta-analysis and developed recommendations regarding supplemental oxygen therapy. The recommendations are aimed at treating critically ill patients, surgical patients with sepsis, hospitalized patients or those en route to hospital in an ambulance.

Federal/State Issues

2018 MIDTERM ELECTIONS: FACTS & FIGURES

As we go to press, several congressional races are still in contention. However, what is definitive is that the Democrats have taken back the House and the Senate still has a Republican majority.

THE PUSH FOR TITLE VIII REAUTHORIZATION

Since its introduction, NACNS has been urging Congress to make the Title VIII Nursing Workforce Reauthorization Act of 2017 (H.R. 959) a priority. H.R. 959 seeks to reauthorize Nursing Workforce Development programs (authorized under Title VIII of the Public Health Service Act) through fiscal year 2022.

NOTICE OF FUNDING OPPORTUNITY: ADVANCED NURSING EDUCATION WORKFORCE

The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) is accepting applications for the fiscal year 2019 Advanced Nursing Education Workforce Program. The purpose of this program is to support innovative academic-practice to educate CNSs, primary care NPs and CNMs prepare for the unique challenges associated with practicing in rural and underserved communities.

CIVIL RIGHTS AND THE OPIOID CRISIS

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office for Civil Rights (OCR) is launching a new campaign to inform the public about civil rights protections regarding evidence-based opioid use disorder (OUD) treatment and recovery services, including Medication Assisted Treatment.

CMS ADVANCES PAYMENT MODEL TO LOWER DRUG COSTS FOR PATIENTS

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) seek input on a new International Pricing Index (IPI) payment model to reduce what Americans pay for prescription drugs. Under the IPI model, described in an Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ANPRM), Medicare payments for select provider-administered drugs – not medicines purchased at pharmacies – would shift to a level more closely aligned with prices in other countries.

Resources

CLINICAL PRACTICE GUIDELINES FOR QUALITY PALLIATIVE CARE

The NACNS is an endorsing organization for the National Consensus Project’s (NCP) Clinical Practice Guidelines for Quality Palliative Care, 4th edition. The NCP Guidelines, a product of the National Coalition for Hospice and Palliative Care, are available to download or purchase.

The Journal of Critical Care recently published a manuscript about PRODIGY (PRediction of Opioid- induced respiratory Depression In patients monitored by capnoGraphY), a clinical trial designed to create and validate a novel respiratory compromise (RC) risk prediction tool to identify medical and surgical patients at increased RC danger while receiving opioids on the general care floor (GCF). Primary findings from the trial have an anticipated release in early 2019, with secondary findings to follow.